University of Guilan Geographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal 2783-1191 4 2 2023 06 22 Evaluation of Sustainability in Mangroves Afforestation in Southern Coastal of Sistan-and Balouchestan Province Evaluation of Sustainability in Mangroves Afforestation in Southern Coastal of Sistan-and Balouchestan Province 1 13 6815 10.22124/gscaj.2023.22136.1157 FA Beytollāh Mahmoudi Assistant Professor, Department of Forest Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran. Maryam Yaghoubzādeh PhD Student in Environmental Sciences, Department of Environment, Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran. Afshin Dānehkar Professor, Department of Environment Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. Journal Article 2022 04 14 Assessing the level of sustainability and success of afforestation provides a suitable strategy and guide for accurately locating forest development and restoration operations. The sustainability in mangroves afforestation in the 7 habitats of Sistan-o-Balouchestan province, Iran, was assessed through quantitative indicators including area changes, density changes, height growth, and forest generation. Satellite image visual interpretation and random sampling method were employed for this study. Over a 16-year period, 5457000 mangrove seedlings were planted in the coastal areas, primarily spaced 3 × 3 meters apart. The results showed that 1170 hectares of coastal land in the province were initially allocated for mangrove afforestation, but by 2011, this area had decreased to 303.9 hectares. According to this research, the Pouzm and Tang sites are highly unstable, while the Tiss and Galak sites are also classified as high unstable. The Naserabad and Birdaf sites are categorized as unstable, whereas the Rashedi site stands out as highly stable. This study indicated a successful afforestation rate of 25.9 percent. Stability analysis indicated that except of Rashidi habitat, other afforestation habitats are not in a stabile state. The main reasons for the 74.1 percent failure of afforestation were poor site selection and Gono storm on 2007. Extended Abstract Introduction The monitoring and evaluation of changes in sustainability indicators reveals the direction of forestry practices, demonstrating the extent of deviation from or proximity to the ideal state of sustainable forestry. The monitoring and evaluation of these sustainability criteria and indicators will assist decision-makers, planners, and national policymakers in the forestry sector in making informed decisions to achieve sustainable forestry practices. Undoubtedly, the analysis of the sustainability conditions in mangrove afforestation areas determines the context and foundation for proper management of these areas, as well as the selection and prioritization of development and restoration plans for mangrove forests. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the sustainability of mangrove forested areas along the coasts of Sistān and Baluchistān province. The study's findings will assist the managers in making informed decisions with a greater emphasis on the protection of these areas. Methodology The analysis of the sustainability trend in planted mangrove habitats in Sistān and Baluchistān province was conducted through the following five steps: Identifying the characteristics of mangrove plantations in the province: For this purpose, the environmental characteristics of mangrove afforestation in the two sectors of development and reclamation along the coasts of the province were identified through an examination of the available information sources in the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of the province, as well as field visits. Selection of sustainability assessment criteria and indicators: During this step, sustainability assessment criteria were chosen to evaluate the status of forest stands. Two specific criteria, namely the extent of forest resources and the health and survival of the forest, were employed for this evaluation, as they are well-suited for assessing forestry areas. Various indicators were considered for these two criteria, including measurement of the surface changes, density changes, height growth, and forest regeneration. Measurement of sustainability indicators: In order to assess the levels and evaluate the status of forest level changes, visual interpretation of Google Earth satellite images from 2020 was employed. For each habitat, a total of 15 sample plots were randomly selected to examine the percentage changes in density, height growth, and reproduction of forest stands. Analysis of the sustainability trend of afforestation stands: The scoring method was employed to analyze the sustainability trend of afforestation stands. Based on the importance of each indicator in determining the sustainability of forestry stands, as well as the weighted score obtained from the decline in density, the level of habitats, height growth, and the reproduction rate, the stability score for each indicator was calculated by multiplying the score of each index based on the results of the examination of the sample pieces and the estimation of the level in the weighted score. By summing up the sustainability scores of all indicators, the total sustainability score for each habitat was derived. The description of habitat stability was then determined based on these stability scores. Results and discussion On the coasts of Sistan and Baluchistan province, 7 estuaries in Chābahār and Kanārak cities, covering a total area of 1640 hectares, have been afforested. Out of this total area, 1170 hectares have been developed, while the remaining portion has been left vacant for the expansion of hand-planted forests. From 1995 to 2011, 5 million and 457 thousand mangrove saplings were planted on these beaches, with a planting distance predominantly set at 3x3 meters. The afforestation area of the Rashidi habitat is in the best state of stability, while the Pezam and Tang habitats are in the worst state of instability. Out of the 7 coastal habitats in Sistan and Baluchistan province, a total of 6 habitats are experiencing varying degrees of instability, ranging from instability to extreme instability. The primary reason for the significant decline in the forestry level was the impact of Gono storm in 2016 along the coasts of Sistān and Baluchistān province. One of the notable effects of this storm was the morphological changes observed in many estuaries within the province. Conclusion The results of this study indicated that 85% of the afforested stands in Sistān and Baluchistān province are experiencing varying degrees of instability, ranging from instability to extreme instability. These findings highlight shortcomings in the selection of planting areas, the planting pattern, and the maintenance of the planted stands. Among these factors, the site selection of the areas stands out as the primary reason for the failure of mangrove afforestation along the coasts of this province. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contributio Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work. Conflit of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgment We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper. We are grateful to the experts of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Department of Sistān and Baluchistān province. Assessing the level of sustainability and success of afforestation provides a suitable strategy and guide for accurately locating forest development and restoration operations. The sustainability in mangroves afforestation in the 7 habitats of Sistan-o-Balouchestan province, Iran, was assessed through quantitative indicators including area changes, density changes, height growth, and forest generation. Satellite image visual interpretation and random sampling method were employed for this study. Over a 16-year period, 5457000 mangrove seedlings were planted in the coastal areas, primarily spaced 3 × 3 meters apart. The results showed that 1170 hectares of coastal land in the province were initially allocated for mangrove afforestation, but by 2011, this area had decreased to 303.9 hectares. According to this research, the Pouzm and Tang sites are highly unstable, while the Tiss and Galak sites are also classified as high unstable. The Naserabad and Birdaf sites are categorized as unstable, whereas the Rashedi site stands out as highly stable. This study indicated a successful afforestation rate of 25.9 percent. Stability analysis indicated that except of Rashidi habitat, other afforestation habitats are not in a stabile state. The main reasons for the 74.1 percent failure of afforestation were poor site selection and Gono storm on 2007. Extended Abstract Introduction The monitoring and evaluation of changes in sustainability indicators reveals the direction of forestry practices, demonstrating the extent of deviation from or proximity to the ideal state of sustainable forestry. The monitoring and evaluation of these sustainability criteria and indicators will assist decision-makers, planners, and national policymakers in the forestry sector in making informed decisions to achieve sustainable forestry practices. Undoubtedly, the analysis of the sustainability conditions in mangrove afforestation areas determines the context and foundation for proper management of these areas, as well as the selection and prioritization of development and restoration plans for mangrove forests. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the sustainability of mangrove forested areas along the coasts of Sistān and Baluchistān province. The study's findings will assist the managers in making informed decisions with a greater emphasis on the protection of these areas. Methodology The analysis of the sustainability trend in planted mangrove habitats in Sistān and Baluchistān province was conducted through the following five steps: Identifying the characteristics of mangrove plantations in the province: For this purpose, the environmental characteristics of mangrove afforestation in the two sectors of development and reclamation along the coasts of the province were identified through an examination of the available information sources in the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of the province, as well as field visits. Selection of sustainability assessment criteria and indicators: During this step, sustainability assessment criteria were chosen to evaluate the status of forest stands. Two specific criteria, namely the extent of forest resources and the health and survival of the forest, were employed for this evaluation, as they are well-suited for assessing forestry areas. Various indicators were considered for these two criteria, including measurement of the surface changes, density changes, height growth, and forest regeneration. Measurement of sustainability indicators: In order to assess the levels and evaluate the status of forest level changes, visual interpretation of Google Earth satellite images from 2020 was employed. For each habitat, a total of 15 sample plots were randomly selected to examine the percentage changes in density, height growth, and reproduction of forest stands. Analysis of the sustainability trend of afforestation stands: The scoring method was employed to analyze the sustainability trend of afforestation stands. Based on the importance of each indicator in determining the sustainability of forestry stands, as well as the weighted score obtained from the decline in density, the level of habitats, height growth, and the reproduction rate, the stability score for each indicator was calculated by multiplying the score of each index based on the results of the examination of the sample pieces and the estimation of the level in the weighted score. By summing up the sustainability scores of all indicators, the total sustainability score for each habitat was derived. The description of habitat stability was then determined based on these stability scores. Results and discussion On the coasts of Sistan and Baluchistan province, 7 estuaries in Chābahār and Kanārak cities, covering a total area of 1640 hectares, have been afforested. Out of this total area, 1170 hectares have been developed, while the remaining portion has been left vacant for the expansion of hand-planted forests. From 1995 to 2011, 5 million and 457 thousand mangrove saplings were planted on these beaches, with a planting distance predominantly set at 3x3 meters. The afforestation area of the Rashidi habitat is in the best state of stability, while the Pezam and Tang habitats are in the worst state of instability. Out of the 7 coastal habitats in Sistan and Baluchistan province, a total of 6 habitats are experiencing varying degrees of instability, ranging from instability to extreme instability. The primary reason for the significant decline in the forestry level was the impact of Gono storm in 2016 along the coasts of Sistān and Baluchistān province. One of the notable effects of this storm was the morphological changes observed in many estuaries within the province. Conclusion The results of this study indicated that 85% of the afforested stands in Sistān and Baluchistān province are experiencing varying degrees of instability, ranging from instability to extreme instability. These findings highlight shortcomings in the selection of planting areas, the planting pattern, and the maintenance of the planted stands. Among these factors, the site selection of the areas stands out as the primary reason for the failure of mangrove afforestation along the coasts of this province. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contributio Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work. Conflit of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgment We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper. We are grateful to the experts of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Department of Sistān and Baluchistān province.

https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_6815_df54dc11ea3137e14adfdd8a4870b737.pdf

University of Guilan Geographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal 2783-1191 4 2 2023 06 22 Analysis of the Impact of Natural Environment and Ecosystem on Citizens' Sense of Happiness (Case Study: Selected Neighborhoods in the City of Rudkhanāri, Ahvāz) Analysis of the Impact of Natural Environment and Ecosystem on Citizens' Sense of Happiness (Case Study: Selected Neighborhoods in the City of Rudkhanāri, Ahvāz) 15 44 6816 10.22124/gscaj.2023.22859.1190 FA Safiyeh Dāmanbāgh Ph.D student in Geography and Urban Planning, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, University of Shahid Chamran, Ahvāz, Iran. Nāhid Sajjādiān Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, University of Shahid Chamran, Ahvāz, Iran. 0000-0002-4616-7071 Journal Article 2022 09 07 The present study focuses on the impact of natural environmental and ecosystem factors on the happiness of the citizens of Ahvāz, within the scope of geographical health. The city of Ahvāz faces environmental issues such as air and dust pollution, lack of green spaces, marginalization and inequality in service delivery, waste and sewage pollution, water quality, and flood crises in the Kārun River basin. The present research was practical and descriptive-analytical. The utilized tools consisted of a researcher-made questionnaire and the standardized Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The statistical population included citizens of Ahvāz (both female and male) within the age range of 15 years and above (887,280 individuals). The sample size, based on Cochran's formula, was 385 individuals, and a relative stratified sampling method was employed in six selected neighborhoods: Shahrak-e Naft, Kiānpars, Gate Boostān, Ᾱmeri, Manba'e Ᾱb, and Kooye Alavi. SPSS and GIS softwares, and the Cocoso method were used for data analysis. The findings indicated that natural environmental and ecosystem factors have an impact on the happiness of Ahvāz citizens. Factors such as air and dust pollution score -0.132, waste and sewage status score -0.109, and flood natural hazard score -0.077, negatively affect the level of citizens' happiness. Moreover, there are differences among the studied neighborhoods in terms of the susceptibility of happiness levels to natural environmental and ecosystem factors, particularly in Kooye Alavi and Manba'e Ᾱb neighborhoods. Finally, some recommendations provided including improving the quality of the environment, utilizing the potential of the Kārun River, and optimizing the use of abandoned and neglected spaces along this axis, transforming them into attractive areas for people's presence. Extended Abstract Introduction Given that the concept of happiness is multidimensional and influenced by various conditions and factors in urban environments, the present study will focus on the analysis of the impact of natural and ecological factors on the happiness of the citizens in Ahvāz within the geographical context of health. Today, the issue of urban health and a healthy lifestyle is one of the fundamental issues in discussions on the geographical health, quality of life, and sustainable development, considering the growing population, urbanization, poverty, marginalization, etc. In terms of environmental conditions, what makes health a more significant concern is factors such as air pollution, lack of sewage collection and treatment systems, lack of access to the clean water, improper resource management, and escalating waste and domestic sewage, all of which can affect the health of citizens. Some urban neighborhoods and areas are deprived of many urban services, to the extent that a significant portion of them do not even have access to safe drinking water. Moreover, poverty, lack of facilities and infrastructure, limited access to healthcare services, malnutrition, inadequate housing, etc., are characteristics of residents in such neighborhoods and areas, creating problems in terms of mental and even physical health as well as the level of happiness of the citizens. Additionally, the phenomenon of dust and particulate matter pollution is one of the major serious environmental issues. The city of Rudkenāri in Ahvāz, as a major city in Iran, also faces numerous environmental challenges. The specific climatic conditions of Khuzestān Province and the city of Ahvāz are reasons to address the issue of citizens' happiness in Ahvāz and its related factors. In recent years, one recurring phenomenon that significantly affects the weather conditions in Ahvāz is dust and particulate matter pollution. The consequences of this phenomenon in Ahvāz include health hazards and impacts on public health (respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, migration motivations and trends among the middle class or individuals with weakened immune systems). Additionally, air pollution in the city of Ahvāz is attributed to the presence of industrial zones and heavy industries surrounding the city. Furthermore, environmental pollution in the Kārun River, water quality issues, and problems related to sewage disposal and waste management are other important factors to consider in addressing the issue of happiness in the city of Rudkenāri, Ahvāz. Therefore, currently, citizen happiness is recognized as a significant issue in the city of Ahvāz, which becomes increasingly important with the urbanization trend and the rise of urban problems and challenges. These issues put citizens' mental and social well-being at risk, thereby highlighting the necessity of addressing the state of citizens' happiness in Ahvāz. In light of the aforementioned issues, the present research aimed to answer two questions: 1) Do natural and ecological factors significantly impact the happiness of citizens in Ahvāz? 2) How influential are natural and ecological factors on the happiness of citizens in selected neighborhoods of Ahvāz? Methodology This research was practical in terms of purpose and methodologically it was descriptive-analytical. In the descriptive section, key variables and determinants of happiness were extracted and collected from relevant sources and background information. Since the subject of happiness falls within the realm of behavioral geography, the main tool for obtaining information is the use of questionnaires. Therefore, the questionnaire used in this research included standardized questionnaires, including the 29-item Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The geographical scope of this research is the Roudkenari district in Ahvāz. The statistical population consisted of citizens aged 15 and above, totaling 887,280 individuals from the entire population of Ahvāz. For ease of measurement, six neighborhoods of Ahvāz city were selected as case samples, representing the target population of the study (Figure 3). It is worth mentioning that some selected neighborhoods, such as Kiānpārs and Ᾱmeri, are located in the vicinity and the Kārun River coast. The sample size was estimated proportional to the population size of the selected neighborhoods, resulting in 385 questionnaires. The sampling method used was relative allocation (stratified sampling). For data analysis, statistical methods such as means of responses and linear regression were employed using SPSS software. Additionally, ArcGIS and Excel software were utilized. The multi-criteria decision-making method, COCOSO, was used for ranking the selected neighborhoods. Results and discussion The findings indicated that environmental and ecosystem factors have an impact on the happiness levels of the citizens of Ahvāz. Factors such as air pollution and dust, with a score of -132.0, the condition of sewage and waste with a score of -109.0, and the natural hazard of floods with a score of -77.0, have negatively affected the level of happiness among citizens. Furthermore, among the studied neighborhoods, there are differences in terms of the effectiveness of the level of happiness from the natural environment and ecosystem factors, particularly in the Alavi neighborhood and the Manba'e Ᾱb area. Based on the results, the overall environmental conditions and pollution levels in the city of Ahvāz have had a range of effects on its citizens. These conditions have significantly impacted their health and activity levels. However, in peripheral neighborhoods such as Alavi and Manba'e Ᾱb area, the situation has been more severe for the residents in terms of their health and happiness. Conclusion The results of this research confirmed the perspective of behavioral geography, which emphasizes the impact of environmental and external factors, particularly location, on human emotions, perceptions, and ultimately behavior. Furthermore, the findings of this study aligned with the behavioral geography viewpoint regarding the influence of environmental factors, especially natural and ecosystem factors, on the level of happiness of citizens. Funding This research was not supported by any particular center or institution. Authors’ Contribution The authors of this research, Dr. Nāhid Sajjādiān contributed about 20% and Ms. Safiyeh Dāmanbāgh contributed 80% in the conceptualization and writing of the article. Both authors approved the content of the article submitted for review and agree on all aspects of the work. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper. The present study focuses on the impact of natural environmental and ecosystem factors on the happiness of the citizens of Ahvāz, within the scope of geographical health. The city of Ahvāz faces environmental issues such as air and dust pollution, lack of green spaces, marginalization and inequality in service delivery, waste and sewage pollution, water quality, and flood crises in the Kārun River basin. The present research was practical and descriptive-analytical. The utilized tools consisted of a researcher-made questionnaire and the standardized Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The statistical population included citizens of Ahvāz (both female and male) within the age range of 15 years and above (887,280 individuals). The sample size, based on Cochran's formula, was 385 individuals, and a relative stratified sampling method was employed in six selected neighborhoods: Shahrak-e Naft, Kiānpars, Gate Boostān, Ᾱmeri, Manba'e Ᾱb, and Kooye Alavi. SPSS and GIS softwares, and the Cocoso method were used for data analysis. The findings indicated that natural environmental and ecosystem factors have an impact on the happiness of Ahvāz citizens. Factors such as air and dust pollution score -0.132, waste and sewage status score -0.109, and flood natural hazard score -0.077, negatively affect the level of citizens' happiness. Moreover, there are differences among the studied neighborhoods in terms of the susceptibility of happiness levels to natural environmental and ecosystem factors, particularly in Kooye Alavi and Manba'e Ᾱb neighborhoods. Finally, some recommendations provided including improving the quality of the environment, utilizing the potential of the Kārun River, and optimizing the use of abandoned and neglected spaces along this axis, transforming them into attractive areas for people's presence. Extended Abstract Introduction Given that the concept of happiness is multidimensional and influenced by various conditions and factors in urban environments, the present study will focus on the analysis of the impact of natural and ecological factors on the happiness of the citizens in Ahvāz within the geographical context of health. Today, the issue of urban health and a healthy lifestyle is one of the fundamental issues in discussions on the geographical health, quality of life, and sustainable development, considering the growing population, urbanization, poverty, marginalization, etc. In terms of environmental conditions, what makes health a more significant concern is factors such as air pollution, lack of sewage collection and treatment systems, lack of access to the clean water, improper resource management, and escalating waste and domestic sewage, all of which can affect the health of citizens. Some urban neighborhoods and areas are deprived of many urban services, to the extent that a significant portion of them do not even have access to safe drinking water. Moreover, poverty, lack of facilities and infrastructure, limited access to healthcare services, malnutrition, inadequate housing, etc., are characteristics of residents in such neighborhoods and areas, creating problems in terms of mental and even physical health as well as the level of happiness of the citizens. Additionally, the phenomenon of dust and particulate matter pollution is one of the major serious environmental issues. The city of Rudkenāri in Ahvāz, as a major city in Iran, also faces numerous environmental challenges. The specific climatic conditions of Khuzestān Province and the city of Ahvāz are reasons to address the issue of citizens' happiness in Ahvāz and its related factors. In recent years, one recurring phenomenon that significantly affects the weather conditions in Ahvāz is dust and particulate matter pollution. The consequences of this phenomenon in Ahvāz include health hazards and impacts on public health (respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, migration motivations and trends among the middle class or individuals with weakened immune systems). Additionally, air pollution in the city of Ahvāz is attributed to the presence of industrial zones and heavy industries surrounding the city. Furthermore, environmental pollution in the Kārun River, water quality issues, and problems related to sewage disposal and waste management are other important factors to consider in addressing the issue of happiness in the city of Rudkenāri, Ahvāz. Therefore, currently, citizen happiness is recognized as a significant issue in the city of Ahvāz, which becomes increasingly important with the urbanization trend and the rise of urban problems and challenges. These issues put citizens' mental and social well-being at risk, thereby highlighting the necessity of addressing the state of citizens' happiness in Ahvāz. In light of the aforementioned issues, the present research aimed to answer two questions: 1) Do natural and ecological factors significantly impact the happiness of citizens in Ahvāz? 2) How influential are natural and ecological factors on the happiness of citizens in selected neighborhoods of Ahvāz? Methodology This research was practical in terms of purpose and methodologically it was descriptive-analytical. In the descriptive section, key variables and determinants of happiness were extracted and collected from relevant sources and background information. Since the subject of happiness falls within the realm of behavioral geography, the main tool for obtaining information is the use of questionnaires. Therefore, the questionnaire used in this research included standardized questionnaires, including the 29-item Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The geographical scope of this research is the Roudkenari district in Ahvāz. The statistical population consisted of citizens aged 15 and above, totaling 887,280 individuals from the entire population of Ahvāz. For ease of measurement, six neighborhoods of Ahvāz city were selected as case samples, representing the target population of the study (Figure 3). It is worth mentioning that some selected neighborhoods, such as Kiānpārs and Ᾱmeri, are located in the vicinity and the Kārun River coast. The sample size was estimated proportional to the population size of the selected neighborhoods, resulting in 385 questionnaires. The sampling method used was relative allocation (stratified sampling). For data analysis, statistical methods such as means of responses and linear regression were employed using SPSS software. Additionally, ArcGIS and Excel software were utilized. The multi-criteria decision-making method, COCOSO, was used for ranking the selected neighborhoods. Results and discussion The findings indicated that environmental and ecosystem factors have an impact on the happiness levels of the citizens of Ahvāz. Factors such as air pollution and dust, with a score of -132.0, the condition of sewage and waste with a score of -109.0, and the natural hazard of floods with a score of -77.0, have negatively affected the level of happiness among citizens. Furthermore, among the studied neighborhoods, there are differences in terms of the effectiveness of the level of happiness from the natural environment and ecosystem factors, particularly in the Alavi neighborhood and the Manba'e Ᾱb area. Based on the results, the overall environmental conditions and pollution levels in the city of Ahvāz have had a range of effects on its citizens. These conditions have significantly impacted their health and activity levels. However, in peripheral neighborhoods such as Alavi and Manba'e Ᾱb area, the situation has been more severe for the residents in terms of their health and happiness. Conclusion The results of this research confirmed the perspective of behavioral geography, which emphasizes the impact of environmental and external factors, particularly location, on human emotions, perceptions, and ultimately behavior. Furthermore, the findings of this study aligned with the behavioral geography viewpoint regarding the influence of environmental factors, especially natural and ecosystem factors, on the level of happiness of citizens. Funding This research was not supported by any particular center or institution. Authors’ Contribution The authors of this research, Dr. Nāhid Sajjādiān contributed about 20% and Ms. Safiyeh Dāmanbāgh contributed 80% in the conceptualization and writing of the article. Both authors approved the content of the article submitted for review and agree on all aspects of the work. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.

https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_6816_726ddcae07068bb73e09a59928b65c71.pdf

University of Guilan Geographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal 2783-1191 4 2 2023 06 22 Measurement and Prediction of the Potential Occurrence of Floods Under Climate Change Conditions (Case study: Gorgānroud watershed) Measurement and Prediction of the Potential Occurrence of Floods Under Climate Change Conditions (Case study: Gorgānroud watershed) 45 61 6822 10.22124/gscaj.2023.22411.1172 FA Abdolhāfez Panāhi Ph.D student in climatology, Department of Natural Geography, Noor branch,, Islamic Azad University, Noor, Iran. Gholāmrezā Jānbāz Ghoādi Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Geography, Noor branch, Islamic Azad University Noor, Iran. Sadraddin Motavalli Associate Professor, Department of Natural Geography, Noor branch, Islamic Azad University, Noor, Iran. Shahryār Khāledi Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Shahid Beheshti, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2022 06 02 Flood management is a comprehensive approach that includes multiple evaluation indicators in the river basin and an effective and stable but complex method. Flood risk assessment provides valuable information for flood management in order to assess vulnerability and exposure to risk. The method of the current research, according to the nature of the problem and the subject under investigation, is descriptive-analytical and applied studies with emphasis on quantitative methods. In the current research, the regional changes in flood occurrences in the Gorgānroud watershed were investigated using information from meteorological stations (synoptic data) over a 30-year period (1999 to 2018), land use, plant cover, topographic moisture index, slope, elevation, lithology, distance from the river, river density, erosion, soil analysis, runoff, and simulated data of mean precipitation obtained from the HadCM3 model in LARS-WG under the SRA1B scenario for the years 2011 to 2045. In this study, two different approaches were employed. In the first approach, the LARS-WG model was used for downscaling to predict the future climate conditions (near and distant future), while in the second approach, the SWAT hydrological model was utilized to assess flood risk. Based on the percentage of potential hazards in the Gorgānroud watershed, zoning was conducted using the SWAT and GIS software in order to delineate the areas at risk. In this study, based on the SWAT model, the daily precipitation and daily temperature of synoptic stations were calibrated. The results have shown that climate change and the alteration of natural environmental conditions in the region have led to various consequences and impacts, including changes in precipitation patterns, the emergence of heterogeneity in historical data series, fluctuations in river water levels, reduction in agricultural production, changes in plant composition and productivity in grasslands, alterations in groundwater levels, and the occurrence of social and economic problems. Some behaviors in the time series of climatic elements are sudden, intense, and unstable, appearing unexpectedly. Physiographies factors such as slope, soil texture, land use, and rock permeability have caused different hydrological responses to precipitation events in various watershed areas, which significantly influence the occurrence and characteristics of flash floods. Extended Abstract Introduction Flood is considered one of the natural phenomena and highly significant and destructive hazards at a global level, accompanied by human and financial losses every year, in various parts of the world, including Iran. Climate change has consequences and effects on the occurrence of the global warming phenomenon, reduction in agricultural productions, alteration in biodiversity and vegetation coverage of grasslands, changes in groundwater levels, and the emergence of social and economic problems. This research aimed to zoning and model flood-prone and risk areas for a changing climate. The research approach is focused on the climate change perspective and its effects on the hydrology of the Gorgānroud watershed. The key objective was to model and predict the risk of flood occurrence in a regional area under climate change conditions using the fuzzy analysis algorithm, hierarchical analysis, and the SWAT model in the watersheds of Golestān Province. Although numerous studies have been conducted on rainfall phenomena in the Golestān province and Iran, none of them have comprehensively examined the climate variability perspective combined with environmental variables. Methodology The Gorgān River Basin, with an area of 10,197 square kilometers, is one of the northeastern basins of the country. A significant portion of this basin is located in Golestān Province. The basin is bordered by the Alborz Mountain range to the south, Ᾱladāgh and Gole-Dāgh Mountains to the east, the Atrak River Basin to the north, and the Caspian Sea and the Qareh-Su Basin to the west. This basin is located within the geographical coordinates of 54 degrees and 10 minutes' east longitude and 36 degrees and 35 minutes at 38 degrees and 15 minutes' north latitude. In the present study, the regional flood changes in the Gorgānroud watershed are assessed based on the utilization of data from meteorological stations (synoptic data) of the Meteorological Organization, using a 30-year statistical period (1989 to 2018), land use, plant cover, topographic moisture index, slope, elevation, geological lithology, distance from the river, river density, erosion, soil analysis, runoff, and simulated data of average precipitation derived from the HadCM3 model in LARS-WG under the SRA1B scenario for the years 2011 to 2045. SWAT is an extension under the ArcGIS software that is used for simulating major hydrological processes, including evapotranspiration, surface runoff, deep percolation, groundwater flow, and subsurface flows using the simulator model. The spatial input variables for the SWAT model in this study included data layers such as the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), soil layer with soil texture information, and land use/land cover layer with descriptive information. The hydroclimatology and numerical input variables for the SWAT model included daily precipitation values, minimum and maximum temperature values from stations within and outside the watershed, and average daily runoff values from the watershed outlet along with their geographic locations. Results and discussion By analyzing and examining the obtained results, it can be inferred that climate change phenomenon will gradually have noticeable effects on the study area, leading to changes in temperature and precipitation parameters. This will result in a decrease in winter precipitation and an increase in the temperature of the study area. Based on the analysis of the changes, it is expected that with the increase in scenarios, the runoff will decrease. This trend is observed in RCP4.5, wherein, despite an increase in the extreme precipitation value, the runoff has decreased. In RCP8.5 (with higher extreme precipitation), the runoff has increased. The reason for this change is that the occurrence of extreme precipitation in RCP4.5 was during the summer and early autumn seasons, wherein, despite high evapotranspiration and no snow melting (unlike RCP8.5, which coincides with snow melting in the spring), the runoff is less than the subsequent scenario. Considering the final map, 154 villages with a population of approximately 138,548 individuals are exposed to high flood risk. The largest area corresponds to the category with relatively severe flood susceptibility, equivalent to 2,725 square kilometers. The category with high potential covers 2,607 square kilometers, the category with relatively low potential covers 1,654 square kilometers, the category with very high flood susceptibility covers 901 square kilometers, and finally, the category with low flood susceptibility covers 705 square kilometers of the total area of the Gorgānroud watershed. Furthermore, it can be concluded that more than 85% of the basin area are exposed to the risk of severe flooding. Conclusion The results of simulation of stream-flow by SWAT: The results for the SRA1B scenario showed a predicted increase in stream-flow by 1.21% for the month of May. On the other hand, the same scenario predicts a decrease in stream-flow by 2.13% for October. According to the SRA1B scenario, a decrease in stream-flow by 9.2% and 63.38% has been predicted for May and October, respectively. Results of modeling and predicting precipitation under climate change conditions: Climate change scenarios based on the HadCM3 model indicated the highest temperature changes in June, August, and February for different months of the year. This indicates a warming trend in the warmer months of the year and even a warmer February in future periods. Comparing the average monthly temperatures between the baseline period and the simulated data using the HadCM3 model in the region showed that June and August will be accompanied by an increase in temperature in future periods, while temperatures will decrease in April and May, which can be examined from various aspects. Comparing the maximum and minimum temperatures between the baseline period and the simulated data using the HadCM3 model in the Gorgānroud watershed also indicates a warming trend in the warmer months of the year, confirming the discussed subject. The results indicated that both maximum and minimum temperatures at the stations will increase in the future period. Results of precipitation trend analysis using the Kendall method: The obtained results of these time series precipitation plots (1989 to 2018) indicated three different types of changes. From the analysis of the U-U' curves, it can be concluded that only in Aliābad Katoul, the two curves have crossed each other outside the range of ±1.96 and moved in opposite directions, indicating a shift. Results of the interpolation section: By comparing the root mean square error with the mean error in the data obtained from the overall validation in ordinary kriging, simple kriging, and universal kriging, it is expected that the mean square error and root mean square error would be significantly higher. Given that the accuracy evaluation results of the examined methods have been provided, the universal kriging method with the lowest mean standard error of estimation (0.006) and root mean square error (23.73) was considered the best method for interpolation. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper. Flood management is a comprehensive approach that includes multiple evaluation indicators in the river basin and an effective and stable but complex method. Flood risk assessment provides valuable information for flood management in order to assess vulnerability and exposure to risk. The method of the current research, according to the nature of the problem and the subject under investigation, is descriptive-analytical and applied studies with emphasis on quantitative methods. In the current research, the regional changes in flood occurrences in the Gorgānroud watershed were investigated using information from meteorological stations (synoptic data) over a 30-year period (1999 to 2018), land use, plant cover, topographic moisture index, slope, elevation, lithology, distance from the river, river density, erosion, soil analysis, runoff, and simulated data of mean precipitation obtained from the HadCM3 model in LARS-WG under the SRA1B scenario for the years 2011 to 2045. In this study, two different approaches were employed. In the first approach, the LARS-WG model was used for downscaling to predict the future climate conditions (near and distant future), while in the second approach, the SWAT hydrological model was utilized to assess flood risk. Based on the percentage of potential hazards in the Gorgānroud watershed, zoning was conducted using the SWAT and GIS software in order to delineate the areas at risk. In this study, based on the SWAT model, the daily precipitation and daily temperature of synoptic stations were calibrated. The results have shown that climate change and the alteration of natural environmental conditions in the region have led to various consequences and impacts, including changes in precipitation patterns, the emergence of heterogeneity in historical data series, fluctuations in river water levels, reduction in agricultural production, changes in plant composition and productivity in grasslands, alterations in groundwater levels, and the occurrence of social and economic problems. Some behaviors in the time series of climatic elements are sudden, intense, and unstable, appearing unexpectedly. Physiographies factors such as slope, soil texture, land use, and rock permeability have caused different hydrological responses to precipitation events in various watershed areas, which significantly influence the occurrence and characteristics of flash floods. Extended Abstract Introduction Flood is considered one of the natural phenomena and highly significant and destructive hazards at a global level, accompanied by human and financial losses every year, in various parts of the world, including Iran. Climate change has consequences and effects on the occurrence of the global warming phenomenon, reduction in agricultural productions, alteration in biodiversity and vegetation coverage of grasslands, changes in groundwater levels, and the emergence of social and economic problems. This research aimed to zoning and model flood-prone and risk areas for a changing climate. The research approach is focused on the climate change perspective and its effects on the hydrology of the Gorgānroud watershed. The key objective was to model and predict the risk of flood occurrence in a regional area under climate change conditions using the fuzzy analysis algorithm, hierarchical analysis, and the SWAT model in the watersheds of Golestān Province. Although numerous studies have been conducted on rainfall phenomena in the Golestān province and Iran, none of them have comprehensively examined the climate variability perspective combined with environmental variables. Methodology The Gorgān River Basin, with an area of 10,197 square kilometers, is one of the northeastern basins of the country. A significant portion of this basin is located in Golestān Province. The basin is bordered by the Alborz Mountain range to the south, Ᾱladāgh and Gole-Dāgh Mountains to the east, the Atrak River Basin to the north, and the Caspian Sea and the Qareh-Su Basin to the west. This basin is located within the geographical coordinates of 54 degrees and 10 minutes' east longitude and 36 degrees and 35 minutes at 38 degrees and 15 minutes' north latitude. In the present study, the regional flood changes in the Gorgānroud watershed are assessed based on the utilization of data from meteorological stations (synoptic data) of the Meteorological Organization, using a 30-year statistical period (1989 to 2018), land use, plant cover, topographic moisture index, slope, elevation, geological lithology, distance from the river, river density, erosion, soil analysis, runoff, and simulated data of average precipitation derived from the HadCM3 model in LARS-WG under the SRA1B scenario for the years 2011 to 2045. SWAT is an extension under the ArcGIS software that is used for simulating major hydrological processes, including evapotranspiration, surface runoff, deep percolation, groundwater flow, and subsurface flows using the simulator model. The spatial input variables for the SWAT model in this study included data layers such as the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), soil layer with soil texture information, and land use/land cover layer with descriptive information. The hydroclimatology and numerical input variables for the SWAT model included daily precipitation values, minimum and maximum temperature values from stations within and outside the watershed, and average daily runoff values from the watershed outlet along with their geographic locations. Results and discussion By analyzing and examining the obtained results, it can be inferred that climate change phenomenon will gradually have noticeable effects on the study area, leading to changes in temperature and precipitation parameters. This will result in a decrease in winter precipitation and an increase in the temperature of the study area. Based on the analysis of the changes, it is expected that with the increase in scenarios, the runoff will decrease. This trend is observed in RCP4.5, wherein, despite an increase in the extreme precipitation value, the runoff has decreased. In RCP8.5 (with higher extreme precipitation), the runoff has increased. The reason for this change is that the occurrence of extreme precipitation in RCP4.5 was during the summer and early autumn seasons, wherein, despite high evapotranspiration and no snow melting (unlike RCP8.5, which coincides with snow melting in the spring), the runoff is less than the subsequent scenario. Considering the final map, 154 villages with a population of approximately 138,548 individuals are exposed to high flood risk. The largest area corresponds to the category with relatively severe flood susceptibility, equivalent to 2,725 square kilometers. The category with high potential covers 2,607 square kilometers, the category with relatively low potential covers 1,654 square kilometers, the category with very high flood susceptibility covers 901 square kilometers, and finally, the category with low flood susceptibility covers 705 square kilometers of the total area of the Gorgānroud watershed. Furthermore, it can be concluded that more than 85% of the basin area are exposed to the risk of severe flooding. Conclusion The results of simulation of stream-flow by SWAT: The results for the SRA1B scenario showed a predicted increase in stream-flow by 1.21% for the month of May. On the other hand, the same scenario predicts a decrease in stream-flow by 2.13% for October. According to the SRA1B scenario, a decrease in stream-flow by 9.2% and 63.38% has been predicted for May and October, respectively. Results of modeling and predicting precipitation under climate change conditions: Climate change scenarios based on the HadCM3 model indicated the highest temperature changes in June, August, and February for different months of the year. This indicates a warming trend in the warmer months of the year and even a warmer February in future periods. Comparing the average monthly temperatures between the baseline period and the simulated data using the HadCM3 model in the region showed that June and August will be accompanied by an increase in temperature in future periods, while temperatures will decrease in April and May, which can be examined from various aspects. Comparing the maximum and minimum temperatures between the baseline period and the simulated data using the HadCM3 model in the Gorgānroud watershed also indicates a warming trend in the warmer months of the year, confirming the discussed subject. The results indicated that both maximum and minimum temperatures at the stations will increase in the future period. Results of precipitation trend analysis using the Kendall method: The obtained results of these time series precipitation plots (1989 to 2018) indicated three different types of changes. From the analysis of the U-U' curves, it can be concluded that only in Aliābad Katoul, the two curves have crossed each other outside the range of ±1.96 and moved in opposite directions, indicating a shift. Results of the interpolation section: By comparing the root mean square error with the mean error in the data obtained from the overall validation in ordinary kriging, simple kriging, and universal kriging, it is expected that the mean square error and root mean square error would be significantly higher. Given that the accuracy evaluation results of the examined methods have been provided, the universal kriging method with the lowest mean standard error of estimation (0.006) and root mean square error (23.73) was considered the best method for interpolation. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.

https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_6822_12ea0e78bb056fe309c842d3215c91fc.pdf

University of Guilan Geographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal 2783-1191 4 2 2023 06 22 Identification and Explanation of Factors Influencing the Development of Virtual Tourism with a Mixed-Method Approach (Case Study: Guilān Province) Identification and Explanation of Factors Influencing the Development of Virtual Tourism with a Mixed-Method Approach (Case Study: Guilān Province) 63 88 6826 10.22124/gscaj.2023.22399.1170 FA Mohammad Soleimāni Ph.D Student in Technology Management, Department of Industrial Management, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Gholām Rezā Hāadehzādeh Khorāsgāni Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial Management, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2022 06 17 The development of virtual tourism indicates the digitization of all processes and value sets in the tourism industry. The present study aimed to identify and explain the influential factors in the development of virtual tourism using a mixed-method approach. It was a qualitative strategy based on the utilization of data-driven theory and the paradigmatic model. In the testing phase, a descriptive-survey method was employed, wherein the derived qualitative model was tested using quantitative methods. In other words, the subject was elucidated through field studies and interviews. The data collection tools consisted of interviews and questionnaires, which were validated by university and non-university experts with prior consulting experience in tourism organizations within Guilan province. The reliability for each variable was higher than 0.7 The research population for the qualitative phase of the study consists of several experts in the tourism industry in Iran. The sample size was 12 individuals, and the sampling was conducted using two non-probability methods, namely purposive (judgmental) and snowball sampling. The research population for the quantitative phase included the experts in the tourism industry in Guilan province who have experience in tourism, technology, and related fields. These experts are considered part of the unlimited population. According to Cochran's formula, the required sample size for an unlimited population is 384. In the qualitative phase, the identification of factors influencing the development of virtual tourism was conducted. In this regard, by employing data-driven theory, 13 categories and 36 concepts were derived. The hypotheses of the study were analyzed in the quantitative stage using structural equation modeling analysis and the Lisrel software version 8.80. The results of the quantitative stage of the data have confirmed that the balanced evaluation of virtual tourism had an effect on value creation and balanced development in Gilan province. The management of virtual tourism structure on the development of virtual tourism performance, the design of customer-oriented strategy of virtual tourism on value creation, the design of customer-oriented strategy of virtual tourism on the development of virtual tourism performance, and the design of customer-oriented strategy of virtual tourism have been effective on the balanced development of virtual tourism in Guilan province. Extended Abstract Introduction Virtual tourism is a tangible reality in the development of the emerging tourism industry. Its dynamism and rapid development lead to a significant transformation in the traditional model of the classical tourism system (Garín-Muñoz et al., 2019). The virtual nature of tourism is indicative of the primary reason of its dynamism, rapid development, and a new set of economic outcomes. The entire process is shaped and developed through technological infrastructure (Jonathan and Tarighan, 2016). Guilān province, with its combination of natural and historical beauties, is one of the popular destinations for tourists throughout the year. On the one hand, domestic tourists are unable to experience traditional tourism due to unprecedented inflation and the inability to afford travel expenses. On the other hand, promoting comprehensive and widespread tourism capacities on the virtual tourism platform is essential for attracting foreign tourists and fostering the development of virtual tourism. If virtual tourism develops and expands, it will lead to increased investment in Guilān's tourism industry, as well as sustainable employment and income for the province. Otherwise, the tourism industry in Guilan province, and certainly in the country as a whole, will be affected. Therefore, the main research questions were presented as follows: What are the influential factors in the development of virtual tourism with a mixed-method approach, and how do these factors impact the structural equation modeling? Methodology The research method was a mixed-method approach, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. The research method in the qualitative phase is based on the utilization of the data-driven theory development strategy and a systematic approach. In the quantitative phase, structural equation modeling was used. The research method was applied in terms of its objective and followed a descriptive-survey approach in terms of data collection, specifically a cross-sectional design. The data collection tools included interviews and questionnaires, which have been validated by academic and non-academic experts in Guilān province. The reliability of these tools for each variable is higher than 0.7. The statistical population (expert population) of this research in the qualitative phase included a number of experts in the tourism industry in Iran. The sample size in this research was 12 individuals, which was obtained using two non-probabilities purposive (judgmental) and snowball sampling methods. The statistical population of the current research in the quantitative phase consisted of experts in the tourism industry in Guilān province, who had experience in tourism and technology-related matters, and are considered part of the infinite population. According to Cochran's formula, the sample size in an infinite population is equal to 384. Results and discussion in the qualitative phase, the effective factors in the development of virtual tourism were identified. In the qualitative phase, the identification of factors influencing the development of virtual tourism has been carried out. In this regard, utilizing data-driven theory elaboration, 13 variables and 36 concepts have been identified, including the necessity of virtual tourism development, information technology infrastructure, inefficiency of tourism management, virtual tourism management (as a central category), support from senior management, information technology system disruptions, upstream interventions, virtual tourism culture, virtual tourism advertising, virtual tourism architecture, value creation, development of virtual tourism performance, and balanced development of virtual tourism, as factors influencing the development of virtual tourism. In the quantitative phase, using structural equation modeling and path analysis technique, the effects of variables were explained, and the results are as follows: Balanced evaluation had a positive effect on value creation. Balanced development and structural management had a positive effect on performance development. Customer-centric strategy design had a positive effect on value creation, performance development, and balanced development. Also, the balanced evaluation had no significant effect on performance development. Structural management had no significant effect on value creation and balanced development. Technology-oriented resource management had no significant effect on value creation, performance development, and balanced development. Strategy design had no significant effect on value creation, performance development, and balanced development. Conclusion Examining the results of the structural equation modeling and the effects of exogenous variables in the central variable, it was found that Information Technology infrastructure had the highest impact on virtual tourism management. Regarding the effects of strategies on outcomes, the balanced evaluation of virtual tourism had the greatest impact on value creation in Guilan province. The lowest confirmed effect was found for the customer-centric strategy design in the development of virtual tourism performance. In terms of the platform conditions and intervention conditions on strategies in Guilan province, the most influential factor was identified as virtual tourism advertising. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution Authors are equally involved in conceptualizing and writing the article. All authors approve the content of the article submitted for judging and agree on all aspects of the work. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper. The development of virtual tourism indicates the digitization of all processes and value sets in the tourism industry. The present study aimed to identify and explain the influential factors in the development of virtual tourism using a mixed-method approach. It was a qualitative strategy based on the utilization of data-driven theory and the paradigmatic model. In the testing phase, a descriptive-survey method was employed, wherein the derived qualitative model was tested using quantitative methods. In other words, the subject was elucidated through field studies and interviews. The data collection tools consisted of interviews and questionnaires, which were validated by university and non-university experts with prior consulting experience in tourism organizations within Guilan province. The reliability for each variable was higher than 0.7 The research population for the qualitative phase of the study consists of several experts in the tourism industry in Iran. The sample size was 12 individuals, and the sampling was conducted using two non-probability methods, namely purposive (judgmental) and snowball sampling. The research population for the quantitative phase included the experts in the tourism industry in Guilan province who have experience in tourism, technology, and related fields. These experts are considered part of the unlimited population. According to Cochran's formula, the required sample size for an unlimited population is 384. In the qualitative phase, the identification of factors influencing the development of virtual tourism was conducted. In this regard, by employing data-driven theory, 13 categories and 36 concepts were derived. The hypotheses of the study were analyzed in the quantitative stage using structural equation modeling analysis and the Lisrel software version 8.80. The results of the quantitative stage of the data have confirmed that the balanced evaluation of virtual tourism had an effect on value creation and balanced development in Gilan province. The management of virtual tourism structure on the development of virtual tourism performance, the design of customer-oriented strategy of virtual tourism on value creation, the design of customer-oriented strategy of virtual tourism on the development of virtual tourism performance, and the design of customer-oriented strategy of virtual tourism have been effective on the balanced development of virtual tourism in Guilan province. Extended Abstract Introduction Virtual tourism is a tangible reality in the development of the emerging tourism industry. Its dynamism and rapid development lead to a significant transformation in the traditional model of the classical tourism system (Garín-Muñoz et al., 2019). The virtual nature of tourism is indicative of the primary reason of its dynamism, rapid development, and a new set of economic outcomes. The entire process is shaped and developed through technological infrastructure (Jonathan and Tarighan, 2016). Guilān province, with its combination of natural and historical beauties, is one of the popular destinations for tourists throughout the year. On the one hand, domestic tourists are unable to experience traditional tourism due to unprecedented inflation and the inability to afford travel expenses. On the other hand, promoting comprehensive and widespread tourism capacities on the virtual tourism platform is essential for attracting foreign tourists and fostering the development of virtual tourism. If virtual tourism develops and expands, it will lead to increased investment in Guilān's tourism industry, as well as sustainable employment and income for the province. Otherwise, the tourism industry in Guilan province, and certainly in the country as a whole, will be affected. Therefore, the main research questions were presented as follows: What are the influential factors in the development of virtual tourism with a mixed-method approach, and how do these factors impact the structural equation modeling? Methodology The research method was a mixed-method approach, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. The research method in the qualitative phase is based on the utilization of the data-driven theory development strategy and a systematic approach. In the quantitative phase, structural equation modeling was used. The research method was applied in terms of its objective and followed a descriptive-survey approach in terms of data collection, specifically a cross-sectional design. The data collection tools included interviews and questionnaires, which have been validated by academic and non-academic experts in Guilān province. The reliability of these tools for each variable is higher than 0.7. The statistical population (expert population) of this research in the qualitative phase included a number of experts in the tourism industry in Iran. The sample size in this research was 12 individuals, which was obtained using two non-probabilities purposive (judgmental) and snowball sampling methods. The statistical population of the current research in the quantitative phase consisted of experts in the tourism industry in Guilān province, who had experience in tourism and technology-related matters, and are considered part of the infinite population. According to Cochran's formula, the sample size in an infinite population is equal to 384. Results and discussion in the qualitative phase, the effective factors in the development of virtual tourism were identified. In the qualitative phase, the identification of factors influencing the development of virtual tourism has been carried out. In this regard, utilizing data-driven theory elaboration, 13 variables and 36 concepts have been identified, including the necessity of virtual tourism development, information technology infrastructure, inefficiency of tourism management, virtual tourism management (as a central category), support from senior management, information technology system disruptions, upstream interventions, virtual tourism culture, virtual tourism advertising, virtual tourism architecture, value creation, development of virtual tourism performance, and balanced development of virtual tourism, as factors influencing the development of virtual tourism. In the quantitative phase, using structural equation modeling and path analysis technique, the effects of variables were explained, and the results are as follows: Balanced evaluation had a positive effect on value creation. Balanced development and structural management had a positive effect on performance development. Customer-centric strategy design had a positive effect on value creation, performance development, and balanced development. Also, the balanced evaluation had no significant effect on performance development. Structural management had no significant effect on value creation and balanced development. Technology-oriented resource management had no significant effect on value creation, performance development, and balanced development. Strategy design had no significant effect on value creation, performance development, and balanced development. Conclusion Examining the results of the structural equation modeling and the effects of exogenous variables in the central variable, it was found that Information Technology infrastructure had the highest impact on virtual tourism management. Regarding the effects of strategies on outcomes, the balanced evaluation of virtual tourism had the greatest impact on value creation in Guilan province. The lowest confirmed effect was found for the customer-centric strategy design in the development of virtual tourism performance. In terms of the platform conditions and intervention conditions on strategies in Guilan province, the most influential factor was identified as virtual tourism advertising. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution Authors are equally involved in conceptualizing and writing the article. All authors approve the content of the article submitted for judging and agree on all aspects of the work. Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.

https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_6826_518f0b003533ba375760360c9ae83698.pdf

University of Guilan Geographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal 2783-1191 4 2 2023 06 22 Investigation of Ultraviolet Radiation Index and Ecological Behavior of Citizens in Ᾱbādān Investigation of Ultraviolet Radiation Index and Ecological Behavior of Citizens in Ᾱbādān 89 104 6814 10.22124/gscaj.2023.21513.1141 FA Taghi Tāvousi Professor, Department of Physical Geography, University of Sisitān and Baluchestān, Zāhedān, Iran. Journal Article 1970 01 01 This research aimed to analyze the awareness, attitude, and ecological behavior of citizens in Ᾱbādān in dealing with harmful ultraviolet radiation. A library method was used to identify the relationship between climate parameters and ultraviolet index, while a field method and questionnaire were employed to analyze the ecological behavior of citizens towards ultraviolet hazards. The statistical population included all citizens of Ᾱbādān, and the sample size was determined to be 384 using Cochran's formula. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through a pre-test and then completed through random sampling. Monthly averages of maximum, minimum, and average temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, cloudiness, sunshine hours, and ultraviolet radiation index (1951-2017) were obtained from the Ᾱbādān meteorological station. After estimating the monthly potential evaporation and transpiration, calculating the UNEP drought index and the Angot rainfall index, and plotting climatic diagrams, the Pearson correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination were used to examine the relationship between each of these factors and the ultraviolet index. The correlation coefficient between the ultraviolet index and relative humidity (-0.95) and cloudiness (-0.87) was found. The function (RSQ) also indicated the higher role of relative humidity (0.89) compared to cloudiness (0.76) in reducing the ultraviolet index. The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant difference in the level of awareness among the study groups in Ᾱbādān regarding awareness, education, attitude, and preventive measures. The results indicated that the level of awareness and education among citizens regarding harmful ultraviolet radiation is moderate, while they have a very high attitude towards this environmental issue and were somewhat familiar with preventive measures. Extended Abstract Introduction The seriousness of issues such as climate change and growing concerns about its consequences has shed light on the value of researching the social and behavioral aspects of environmental problems, especially in urban settings, more than ever before. In recent years, significant changes have occurred in the physicochemical properties of the atmospheric structure. As a result of human industrial activities, a wide range of complex events have caused varying degrees of disturbance to all living beings and ecosystems. One of these detrimental events is the damage to the ozone layer. One of the most significant consequences of ozone depletion and thinning is the climate risk of increased ultraviolet radiation in the troposphere, especially in the planetary boundary layer and overall on the Earth's biosphere. The present research aimed to analyze the awareness, attitude, and ecological behavior of citizens in the coastal city of Ᾱbādān, located in the hot climate of southern Iran, in order to deal with the harmful ultraviolet radiation. Methodology In the present study, a library-based method was used to examine the relationship between climate parameters and UV index. Additionally, a field method and questionnaire were employed to analyze the ecological behavior of citizens in relation to UV risk. The statistical population included all citizens of Abadan, and the sample size was determined to be 384 individuals using Cochran's formula. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through a pilot test and then completed through random sampling. Monthly averages of maximum, minimum, and average temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, cloudiness, sunshine hours, and UV index (1951-2017) were obtained from the Abadan Meteorological Station. After estimating the monthly mean potential evaporation and transpiration, the UNEP drought index and the Angot rainfall index were calculated, and climatic graphs were plotted. The correlation coefficient (Pearson) and determination coefficient were used to examine the relationship between each of these indices and the UV index. Drought indices are quantitative measures of water deficiency in a specific location, which are influenced by the interaction between precipitation, temperature, and evaporation. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) defines the aridity index (AI) as the ratio of total annual precipitation to potential evapotranspiration (PET). In this article, the Angot precipitation index (K) was used to identify precipitation characteristics and monthly climatic features in the coastal city of Abadan. Results and discussion The annual aridity index of the coastal city of Ᾱbādān, with an average annual temperature of about 26.9 degrees Celsius, an average maximum temperature of about 34.3 degrees Celsius, an average minimum temperature of about 19.5 degrees Celsius, and precipitation of 149.7 millimeters, the potential evapotranspiration of around 2832 millimeters, has been calculated to be approximately 0.04. The climate of Ᾱbādān is classified according to the Tāvousi aridity index (E24), indicating a very dry climate (E) with relatively cold winters and hot summers (Tāvousi, 2020). The monthly average in the Angot precipitation index (K) indicated that a wet period (W) occurs during a six-month period from November to late April, while a severe dry period (De) prevails from June to late September. Field data analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant difference in the level of awareness, education, attitude, and preventive measures among the study groups in the city of Ᾱbādān. Conclusion The results of the current research indicated that the correlation coefficient of the ultraviolet index with relative humidity is -0.95 and with cloudiness is -0.87. The coefficient of determination (RSQ) also suggested a higher role of relative humidity (0.89) compared to cloudiness (0.76) in reducing the ultraviolet index. It should be noted that the solar radiation angle increases during midday and in the summer season, and as the vertical solar radiation intensity increases, the ultraviolet index also increases. The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant difference in the level of awareness among the studied groups in terms of awareness, education, attitude, and preventive measures in the city of Ᾱbādān. The results suggested that the level of awareness and education of citizens regarding harmful ultraviolet radiation is moderate, while they have a very high attitude towards this environmental issue and are somewhat familiar with preventive measures. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution The author has been alone in conceptualizing and writing the article and has approved the content of the article submitted for refereeing. Conflict of Interest Author declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments I am grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper. This research aimed to analyze the awareness, attitude, and ecological behavior of citizens in Ᾱbādān in dealing with harmful ultraviolet radiation. A library method was used to identify the relationship between climate parameters and ultraviolet index, while a field method and questionnaire were employed to analyze the ecological behavior of citizens towards ultraviolet hazards. The statistical population included all citizens of Ᾱbādān, and the sample size was determined to be 384 using Cochran's formula. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through a pre-test and then completed through random sampling. Monthly averages of maximum, minimum, and average temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, cloudiness, sunshine hours, and ultraviolet radiation index (1951-2017) were obtained from the Ᾱbādān meteorological station. After estimating the monthly potential evaporation and transpiration, calculating the UNEP drought index and the Angot rainfall index, and plotting climatic diagrams, the Pearson correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination were used to examine the relationship between each of these factors and the ultraviolet index. The correlation coefficient between the ultraviolet index and relative humidity (-0.95) and cloudiness (-0.87) was found. The function (RSQ) also indicated the higher role of relative humidity (0.89) compared to cloudiness (0.76) in reducing the ultraviolet index. The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant difference in the level of awareness among the study groups in Ᾱbādān regarding awareness, education, attitude, and preventive measures. The results indicated that the level of awareness and education among citizens regarding harmful ultraviolet radiation is moderate, while they have a very high attitude towards this environmental issue and were somewhat familiar with preventive measures. Extended Abstract Introduction The seriousness of issues such as climate change and growing concerns about its consequences has shed light on the value of researching the social and behavioral aspects of environmental problems, especially in urban settings, more than ever before. In recent years, significant changes have occurred in the physicochemical properties of the atmospheric structure. As a result of human industrial activities, a wide range of complex events have caused varying degrees of disturbance to all living beings and ecosystems. One of these detrimental events is the damage to the ozone layer. One of the most significant consequences of ozone depletion and thinning is the climate risk of increased ultraviolet radiation in the troposphere, especially in the planetary boundary layer and overall on the Earth's biosphere. The present research aimed to analyze the awareness, attitude, and ecological behavior of citizens in the coastal city of Ᾱbādān, located in the hot climate of southern Iran, in order to deal with the harmful ultraviolet radiation. Methodology In the present study, a library-based method was used to examine the relationship between climate parameters and UV index. Additionally, a field method and questionnaire were employed to analyze the ecological behavior of citizens in relation to UV risk. The statistical population included all citizens of Abadan, and the sample size was determined to be 384 individuals using Cochran's formula. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through a pilot test and then completed through random sampling. Monthly averages of maximum, minimum, and average temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, cloudiness, sunshine hours, and UV index (1951-2017) were obtained from the Abadan Meteorological Station. After estimating the monthly mean potential evaporation and transpiration, the UNEP drought index and the Angot rainfall index were calculated, and climatic graphs were plotted. The correlation coefficient (Pearson) and determination coefficient were used to examine the relationship between each of these indices and the UV index. Drought indices are quantitative measures of water deficiency in a specific location, which are influenced by the interaction between precipitation, temperature, and evaporation. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) defines the aridity index (AI) as the ratio of total annual precipitation to potential evapotranspiration (PET). In this article, the Angot precipitation index (K) was used to identify precipitation characteristics and monthly climatic features in the coastal city of Abadan. Results and discussion The annual aridity index of the coastal city of Ᾱbādān, with an average annual temperature of about 26.9 degrees Celsius, an average maximum temperature of about 34.3 degrees Celsius, an average minimum temperature of about 19.5 degrees Celsius, and precipitation of 149.7 millimeters, the potential evapotranspiration of around 2832 millimeters, has been calculated to be approximately 0.04. The climate of Ᾱbādān is classified according to the Tāvousi aridity index (E24), indicating a very dry climate (E) with relatively cold winters and hot summers (Tāvousi, 2020). The monthly average in the Angot precipitation index (K) indicated that a wet period (W) occurs during a six-month period from November to late April, while a severe dry period (De) prevails from June to late September. Field data analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant difference in the level of awareness, education, attitude, and preventive measures among the study groups in the city of Ᾱbādān. Conclusion The results of the current research indicated that the correlation coefficient of the ultraviolet index with relative humidity is -0.95 and with cloudiness is -0.87. The coefficient of determination (RSQ) also suggested a higher role of relative humidity (0.89) compared to cloudiness (0.76) in reducing the ultraviolet index. It should be noted that the solar radiation angle increases during midday and in the summer season, and as the vertical solar radiation intensity increases, the ultraviolet index also increases. The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant difference in the level of awareness among the studied groups in terms of awareness, education, attitude, and preventive measures in the city of Ᾱbādān. The results suggested that the level of awareness and education of citizens regarding harmful ultraviolet radiation is moderate, while they have a very high attitude towards this environmental issue and are somewhat familiar with preventive measures. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution The author has been alone in conceptualizing and writing the article and has approved the content of the article submitted for refereeing. Conflict of Interest Author declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments I am grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.

https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_6814_687ddd021775a8e9f1de79eba378a4b2.pdf

University of Guilan Geographical Studies of Coastal Areas Journal 2783-1191 4 2 2023 06 22 Exploring the Production of Space and Formation of Knowledge-based Zones Using Henri Lefebvre's Theory (Case Study: Coastal district of 22@, Barcelona) Exploring the Production of Space and Formation of Knowledge-based Zones Using Henri Lefebvre's Theory (Case Study: Coastal district of 22@, Barcelona) 105 127 6827 10.22124/gscaj.2023.22614.1181 FA Hāfez Mahdnejād Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Seyyed Jamaluddin Asadabadi University, Asadabad, Iran. 0000-0001-7548-9355 Ahmad Zangāneh Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2022 07 05 Nowadays, the development of knowledge-based cities has become one of the pervasive strategies for sustainable urban development and one of the most effective paradigms for future sustainable cities. In fact, the new millennium has been designated as the era of knowledge-based cities. However, the production of space in knowledge-based cities has its own requirements. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the production of space and the formation of knowledge-based zones using Henry Lefebvre's theory. The research was theoretical-foundational in nature, and its method was descriptive-analytical. The ontology was a combination of physical, mental, and organic factors, and its epistemology was interpretive and hermeneutic. The results of the research indicated that, based on Henry Lefebvre's theory, the production of space in knowledge-based cities includes physical aspects such as transforming the zoning of an area from "22i" (industrial) to "22 @" (new knowledge-based activities), creating zones based on mixed land use, urban diversity, density, and compactness, establishing various clusters consisting of energy, media, information and communication technology, and medical technology, and launching the 22@ Entrepreneurship System, Barcelona Activa, and Landing Platforms. Furthermore, it encompasses mental aspects such as adapting the new fabric to the new economy, making the space attractive for attracting elites, long-term flexibility, and ensuring sustainability in the future, as well as the role of urban planners and facilitators, and Barcelona's history in the application of mixed land use and creative industries. Additionally, the organic aspects include the creation of a mediatheque building as a communication center and meeting point for professionals, students, entrepreneurs, research and development centers, and information and communication technology institutions; promoting the Breakfast Update event 22@ to establish mutual communication between the specialist community and creating a sense of belonging to the place; implementing programs such as the Digital District to familiarize the older generation with digital educational programs; establishing a smart city campus to create a new space for urban innovation by bringing together companies, institutions, universities, and research centers in the field of information and communication technology; and fostering innovation ecosystems and urban planning within knowledge-based zones. Extended Abstract Introduction Numerous studies have been conducted on knowledge-based cities, including stakeholders and drivers of the knowledge city, the evolution of the city as a platform, smart governance in urban development with the platform of knowledge-based urbanism, the role of innovation in knowledge-based city development, knowledge as a holistic approach to future urban development, knowledge cities and innovation spaces. These studies have been conducted in various countries such as Romania, Australia, Malaysia, and Brazil. However, none of the previous studies specifically addressed the analysis of the formation of knowledge-based areas and their relationship with space production using the theory of Lefebvre. Among the theorists who have theorized about space and its construction, Lefebvre is the only one who sees space construction as a result of deliberate and predetermined policies of governments. Also, the 22@ in Barcelona is the result of a top-down approach implemented by government policies and urban planning. In fact, the feasibility and construction of the 22@ in Barcelona are influenced by government policies and the political and economic structure. In other words, space and its construction in 22@ Barcelona represent a complex and multidimensional political and economic process. Furthermore, the space construction is a result of the pressures of globalization and the need for increased competitiveness as the main driver of the new economy, which Barcelona has undertaken to enhance its economic, social, and cultural position. The use of Lefebvre's theory in understanding the government intervention in creating social space in urban economies provides a necessary and critical tool through which various policies and their orientations can be analyzed. Therefore, this study aimed to utilize Lefebvre's theory of space production in analyzing the formation of knowledge-based zones, with a focus on 22@ in Barcelona. Methodology The research method was descriptive-analytical. Documentary and library methods have been used to collect data. The study has focused on reviewing relevant sources and references, knowledge-based mapping in the case study, statistics, books, and websites related to the research topic. Since the current research aimed to explore the nature of the formation of knowledge-based spaces and the relationships between components and variables, and it contributed to the development of the scientific boundaries of geography, it fell under the category of theoretical-foundational research. In terms of intellectual foundation and theoretical basis, it has been formulated based on Henry Lefebvre's theory of the space production and its main components, namely physical space, mental space, and lived space. In fact, the ontology of the current research was a combination of physical, mental, and lived factors, and its epistemology was interpretive and hermeneutics. Results and discussion The research results indicated that based on Lefebvre's theory, the space production has occurred in physical form (transforming the zoning of the area from "22i" (industrial) to "22@" (new knowledge-based profitable activities), creating a zone based on mixed land use, diversity, urban density, and clustering different sectors such as energy, media, information and communication technology, medical technology, and the establishment of the 22@ entrepreneurs system (Barcelona Activa, Barcelona Growth Center, and landing platforms); mental aspect (adaptation of the new structure to the new economy, making the space attractive for attracting elites, long-term flexibility, and ensuring future sustainability); the role of urban planners and facilitators from the government and municipality; the historical background of Barcelona in the implementation of mixed land use and creative industries; in the lived aspect (the construction of the Mediatheque as a communication center and meeting point for businesses, students, entrepreneurs, research and development centers, and information and communication technology institutions); the promotion of the 22@ Update Breakfast event to establish mutual connections among the community of experts and create a sense of belonging to the place; the implementation of programs such as the Digital District to familiarize grandparents and parents of the area with digital educational programs, and the establishment of a smart city campus to create a new space for urban innovation by bringing together companies, institutions, universities, and research centers in information and communication technology, innovation ecosystems, and urban planning have occurred in knowledge-based zones. Conclusion The innovation and knowledge-based district of Barcelona @22 has been designed based on three physical, mental, and lived spaces. Within this framework, political will and leadership are essential features, as the development of each of these spaces guides the next stage of innovation. Strong political commitment and decision-making are necessary in the early to middle stages of development in order to transform innovation areas into self-reinforcing and sustainable innovation ecosystems. Within the framework of the innovation district, each of the innovation spaces interacts with one another and creates feedback loops that enhance the innovation capacity of a place. The innovation district is a multidimensional innovation ecosystem in which different innovation spaces interact with each other. In this multidimensional ecosystem, large and exceptional projects are shared with the aim of significantly changing the structure of society and the city while simultaneously producing and developing physical, mental, and social spaces. Space production plays a crucial role in this ecosystem's integrated strategy, designed to attract, retain, and nurture talents, improve networks and communication flows among innovators, and also transform the area into an attractive destination. Overall, the model of space production and the formation of knowledge-based zones, using Henry Lefebvre's theory, is a model of public management that combines strategic vision, political leadership, professional management, innovation, and participation with proximity to citizens, civic culture, citizen participation, and quality. The foundation of this model is based on strong political will, desire, decision, and commitment to realizing a knowledge-based city, which takes shape in the form of changing the land use and function of the area, aligning it with the new urban economy. In parallel with the ideology and prevailing thinking in the space, conceptual discourses for space production, maps and signs, scientific theories, and space production ideas, and ultimately the existing symbols in the space (monuments, city signs) represent the space. Additionally, the mental space of policymakers and planners, in the form of planning, process development, scheduling, and policy documents, significantly contributes to space production. Finally, governance and management based on elites, professionalism, competent individuals, and knowledge-based mechanisms create consensus and trust among residents for participation, partnership, interaction, and close communication with urban management, which provides a suitable living environment for residents. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper. Nowadays, the development of knowledge-based cities has become one of the pervasive strategies for sustainable urban development and one of the most effective paradigms for future sustainable cities. In fact, the new millennium has been designated as the era of knowledge-based cities. However, the production of space in knowledge-based cities has its own requirements. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the production of space and the formation of knowledge-based zones using Henry Lefebvre's theory. The research was theoretical-foundational in nature, and its method was descriptive-analytical. The ontology was a combination of physical, mental, and organic factors, and its epistemology was interpretive and hermeneutic. The results of the research indicated that, based on Henry Lefebvre's theory, the production of space in knowledge-based cities includes physical aspects such as transforming the zoning of an area from "22i" (industrial) to "22 @" (new knowledge-based activities), creating zones based on mixed land use, urban diversity, density, and compactness, establishing various clusters consisting of energy, media, information and communication technology, and medical technology, and launching the 22@ Entrepreneurship System, Barcelona Activa, and Landing Platforms. Furthermore, it encompasses mental aspects such as adapting the new fabric to the new economy, making the space attractive for attracting elites, long-term flexibility, and ensuring sustainability in the future, as well as the role of urban planners and facilitators, and Barcelona's history in the application of mixed land use and creative industries. Additionally, the organic aspects include the creation of a mediatheque building as a communication center and meeting point for professionals, students, entrepreneurs, research and development centers, and information and communication technology institutions; promoting the Breakfast Update event 22@ to establish mutual communication between the specialist community and creating a sense of belonging to the place; implementing programs such as the Digital District to familiarize the older generation with digital educational programs; establishing a smart city campus to create a new space for urban innovation by bringing together companies, institutions, universities, and research centers in the field of information and communication technology; and fostering innovation ecosystems and urban planning within knowledge-based zones. Extended Abstract Introduction Numerous studies have been conducted on knowledge-based cities, including stakeholders and drivers of the knowledge city, the evolution of the city as a platform, smart governance in urban development with the platform of knowledge-based urbanism, the role of innovation in knowledge-based city development, knowledge as a holistic approach to future urban development, knowledge cities and innovation spaces. These studies have been conducted in various countries such as Romania, Australia, Malaysia, and Brazil. However, none of the previous studies specifically addressed the analysis of the formation of knowledge-based areas and their relationship with space production using the theory of Lefebvre. Among the theorists who have theorized about space and its construction, Lefebvre is the only one who sees space construction as a result of deliberate and predetermined policies of governments. Also, the 22@ in Barcelona is the result of a top-down approach implemented by government policies and urban planning. In fact, the feasibility and construction of the 22@ in Barcelona are influenced by government policies and the political and economic structure. In other words, space and its construction in 22@ Barcelona represent a complex and multidimensional political and economic process. Furthermore, the space construction is a result of the pressures of globalization and the need for increased competitiveness as the main driver of the new economy, which Barcelona has undertaken to enhance its economic, social, and cultural position. The use of Lefebvre's theory in understanding the government intervention in creating social space in urban economies provides a necessary and critical tool through which various policies and their orientations can be analyzed. Therefore, this study aimed to utilize Lefebvre's theory of space production in analyzing the formation of knowledge-based zones, with a focus on 22@ in Barcelona. Methodology The research method was descriptive-analytical. Documentary and library methods have been used to collect data. The study has focused on reviewing relevant sources and references, knowledge-based mapping in the case study, statistics, books, and websites related to the research topic. Since the current research aimed to explore the nature of the formation of knowledge-based spaces and the relationships between components and variables, and it contributed to the development of the scientific boundaries of geography, it fell under the category of theoretical-foundational research. In terms of intellectual foundation and theoretical basis, it has been formulated based on Henry Lefebvre's theory of the space production and its main components, namely physical space, mental space, and lived space. In fact, the ontology of the current research was a combination of physical, mental, and lived factors, and its epistemology was interpretive and hermeneutics. Results and discussion The research results indicated that based on Lefebvre's theory, the space production has occurred in physical form (transforming the zoning of the area from "22i" (industrial) to "22@" (new knowledge-based profitable activities), creating a zone based on mixed land use, diversity, urban density, and clustering different sectors such as energy, media, information and communication technology, medical technology, and the establishment of the 22@ entrepreneurs system (Barcelona Activa, Barcelona Growth Center, and landing platforms); mental aspect (adaptation of the new structure to the new economy, making the space attractive for attracting elites, long-term flexibility, and ensuring future sustainability); the role of urban planners and facilitators from the government and municipality; the historical background of Barcelona in the implementation of mixed land use and creative industries; in the lived aspect (the construction of the Mediatheque as a communication center and meeting point for businesses, students, entrepreneurs, research and development centers, and information and communication technology institutions); the promotion of the 22@ Update Breakfast event to establish mutual connections among the community of experts and create a sense of belonging to the place; the implementation of programs such as the Digital District to familiarize grandparents and parents of the area with digital educational programs, and the establishment of a smart city campus to create a new space for urban innovation by bringing together companies, institutions, universities, and research centers in information and communication technology, innovation ecosystems, and urban planning have occurred in knowledge-based zones. Conclusion The innovation and knowledge-based district of Barcelona @22 has been designed based on three physical, mental, and lived spaces. Within this framework, political will and leadership are essential features, as the development of each of these spaces guides the next stage of innovation. Strong political commitment and decision-making are necessary in the early to middle stages of development in order to transform innovation areas into self-reinforcing and sustainable innovation ecosystems. Within the framework of the innovation district, each of the innovation spaces interacts with one another and creates feedback loops that enhance the innovation capacity of a place. The innovation district is a multidimensional innovation ecosystem in which different innovation spaces interact with each other. In this multidimensional ecosystem, large and exceptional projects are shared with the aim of significantly changing the structure of society and the city while simultaneously producing and developing physical, mental, and social spaces. Space production plays a crucial role in this ecosystem's integrated strategy, designed to attract, retain, and nurture talents, improve networks and communication flows among innovators, and also transform the area into an attractive destination. Overall, the model of space production and the formation of knowledge-based zones, using Henry Lefebvre's theory, is a model of public management that combines strategic vision, political leadership, professional management, innovation, and participation with proximity to citizens, civic culture, citizen participation, and quality. The foundation of this model is based on strong political will, desire, decision, and commitment to realizing a knowledge-based city, which takes shape in the form of changing the land use and function of the area, aligning it with the new urban economy. In parallel with the ideology and prevailing thinking in the space, conceptual discourses for space production, maps and signs, scientific theories, and space production ideas, and ultimately the existing symbols in the space (monuments, city signs) represent the space. Additionally, the mental space of policymakers and planners, in the form of planning, process development, scheduling, and policy documents, significantly contributes to space production. Finally, governance and management based on elites, professionalism, competent individuals, and knowledge-based mechanisms create consensus and trust among residents for participation, partnership, interaction, and close communication with urban management, which provides a suitable living environment for residents. Funding There is no funding support. Authors’ Contribution Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work Conflict of Interest Authors declared no conflict of interest. Acknowledgments We are grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.

https://hgscaj.guilan.ac.ir/article_6827_b90a1842f867e5a7947e82eb21a07006.pdf